Iowa Beta Alumni Association president Marc Rosenow stands with Roger Strand. The senior brother had lost his SAE pin and Rosenow drove from Chicago to meet him at a restaurant in Wausau, Wisc. to personally give him a new one. Strand lives in nearby Merrill.
90-year-old WWII Veteran becomes 100th
member of Iowa Beta Alumni Association
At age 90, Roger K. Strand (IABE ’47) is one of Iowa Beta’s oldest living members. He is also the 100th person to join the Iowa Beta Alumni Association, making it one of the largest and most successful SAE alumni organizations in the country.
“SAE has been such an important part of my life,” said Strand. “Although I have outlived almost everyone in my pledge class, I am very happy to support my Iowa Beta bothers of younger generations.”
Brother Strand, who hails from Merrill, Wisc., was initiated on December 13, 1942 and is badge number 57008. He was active in the fraternity and in the community at large. During his sophomore year, Strand won the university canoe race on the Iowa River with SAE brother Bob Merriam (IABE ’45) and took second place in the fraternity tennis tournament.
The Iowa Beta brothers in 1947 get together for a group photo. As Eminent Deputy Archon, Roger Strand sits to the left of Iowa Beta founder Dean Wilber J.Teeters (OHSI 1893) on the front row.
Nine Iowa Beta sophomores prepare to go off to World War II. Front row, from left are Bill McDonald, Caroll Steinbeck, Bill Thompson and Don Holmwood. Back row from left are Joe Poulter, Bob Merriam, Frank Powers, Christian Larsen and Roger Strand.
Though the fraternity was enjoying tremendous success, the winds of war were blowing in Iowa City. Terror and tyranny were on the rise as most of Europe had been conquered by Nazi Germany, under the iron grip of dictator Adolf Hitler. The U.S. declared war on the Axis Powers and entered the second World War after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Strand, along with eight other brothers enlisted in the U.S. Army. They were a handful of the millions of Americans who went off to defend our country and fight for freedom and democracy. He served in the infantry and took part in the invasion of Omaha Beach, the liberation of Paris, the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine River and the liberation of the death camps.
“I vividly remember the horrors I saw during those campaigns,” he said.
The class of 1947 participates in graduation ceremonies at the Field House.
After the war, Strand returned to the University of Iowa to finish his studies and lived on the second floor of the SAE house with his best friend and war-time comrade-in-arms - the late Joe Poulter (IABE ’47). Strand served two terms as Pledge Trainer and also as Eminent Deputy Archon. In addition to “Violets,” “You are the Fairest” and other SAE songs, Strand made sure the pledges could sing the main song for each of the sororities. The sororities' song was always the grand finale during a serenade.
“Needless to say, that made SAE very popular with the ladies,” Strand said.
He said he believes that structure, discipline and traditions are important to instill when men return to the chapter house.
“You need to bring back the House Mother," Strand said. "Boys will be boys and can always get into trouble. The House Mother was so respected that we always behaved ourselves when she was around.”
Strand remembers that dinners were always formal with coat and tie and nobody ate until the House Mother, escorted by the Eminent Archon, was seated.
This year, Strand got a communication from the Iowa Beta Alumni Association and he mailed in his membership information. He was then contacted by president Marc Rosenow (IABE ’86). He told Rosenow that he had lost his SAE active badge many years ago.
Rosenow drove from Chicago to meet Strand and his wife, Nancy, in Wausau, Wisc. for lunch to congratulate Roger on being the 100th member to join the Alumni Association. He presented Strand with a replacement SAE badge.
Strand was very moved by the gesture.
“Roger is a remarkable man and without question is a True Gentleman," said Rosenow. "He is sharp, witty and very loyal to Iowa Beta. I am honored to know him. And I, like most Americans, are indebted to him and the men he served with during World War II. He is proof of why The Great Generation earned their name.
"I took great pleasure in congratulating Roger on becoming the 100th member of the Iowa Beta Alumni Association.”
Don Keeley is interviewed at the site of his devastated home in Washington, Ill. by a Chicago TV reporter.
Keeley resilient after tornado strikes his home in Illinois
Brother Don Keeley (IABE '88) took a hard shot to the chin on Sunday, November 17 as a series of tornadoes and severe storms ripped through his cozy town of Washington, Ill. and destroyed his home.
Washington is located just east of Peoria and six people were killed, while hundreds were left homeless in the area. Keeley's first words?
"We are OK. My family is safe. That’s all that matters to me. Everything else can be rebuilt.”
Iowa Beta communications director Greg Miller (IABE '86) said Keeley has always carried a smile on his face and is loaded with tenacity.
"I lived with Don on the second floor of the SAE house on Dubuque Street in the early 1980s," he said. "We were a developing chapter that had its share of challenges and when we hit a road bump, Don would say 'Come on fellas, we can do this!' And before you know it, we found a solution and we would be working together. Don always sees the glass half full."
Right after the tragic moments in Washington, Keeley went on to say, “The devastation I just witnessed can't be described. I won't even try. I can buy a new house or rebuild the one that was there. Thanks kindly for the offerings of help and support.”
Keeley has served as a Director of the Iowa Beta Riverside Corporation (the SAE house corporation) since 2102.He is the pharmacy manager for Schnucks Markets and is involved in his church and community, including serving seven years as coach for the Washington traveling baseball and basketball teams.
He is the proud father of two future Hawkeyes, Trey and Kaitlyn.Trey is already making plans to pledge SAE once Iowa Beta returns in 2016.
As an undergrad, Keeley was veryactive in the Iowa Beta chapter, serving on the social event planning, Homecoming and philanthropy committees as well as Intramural Sports Chairman.
He is regarded as the king of Iowa City tailgating and a grill master extraordinaire. His generosity is exceeded only by his sense of humor and deep loyalty to others.
An outpouring of offers of support and help have been coming in for Don, but at this time but none is required.
"The guy is funny as can be and at the same time tough as nails," Miller said. "When I heard and saw him talking to the TV news reporter on the internet, my heart just sank. But I know Don. He is gritty and will fight through this."
The day after the tornadoes struck, Keeley posted on Facebook, "Many of you are trying to call me. I appreciate the kind words. I don't really have cell phone reception though.
"Again, I am completely speechless with all of the offers of help and support I've been receiving. Thanks again! I'm fine and when they finally let me get back to my house I will have more than enough help to salvage whatever we can."
Miller said Keeley's post was consistent to how he has known him for more than 30 years.
"That's Keeley," Miller said. "You can take a swing at him as hard as you want, but he will counter with humor and hard work. It is impossible to knock him down. He proves that at this time of giving thanks, he has an attitude of gratitude, even after having to deal with a tragedy of this magnitude."
Bruce Pieper sits with Jane Schott at the Green Orchard Restaurant on Gilbert Street the night before the Iowa-Northwestern game in October.
Recents deaths spark 1960s brothers to assemble in Iowa City
Iowa Beta brothers, their spouses and Little Sisters of Minerva converged on Iowa City for two days of fun in October for a 1960s-era SAE reunion for the Hawkeye-Northwestern football game weekend.
Organized in response to the loss of several SAE brothers in recent years, Virginia resident Bruce Pieper (IABE ’65) was the principal event coordinator along with Bill Fanter (IABE ’66), Steve Schultz (IABE ’65), and Mike Whitehill (IABE ’65).
“We had about 35 brothers, wives and Little Sisters attend from all over the country,” said Pieper. “It was so much fun to see everyone and it was long overdue. It is too bad it took the passing of Steve Mashek (IABE’65), Rich McCleary (IABE ’68), and Bill Otto (IABE ’65) among others, to bring us together after all these years.”
On Friday night, the group gathered for cocktails followed by dinner at the Green Orchard Restaurant on Gilbert Street in Iowa City. The establishment is located one block south of where Speeds Tap used to be. Speeds Tap was frequented by the 1960s brothers while it was later known as Fitzpatrick’s in the early 1980s.
“We had lots of old pictures and yearbooks as well as letters from a few brothers who sent their regards but couldn't make the event. Name tags helped a little but there was really no need for any ice-breakers as the party began quickly and gained strength as each guest arrived,” according to Fanter.
“While the years have changed us all physically, the relationships needed only a slight breeze to rekindle and a little good food and wine supplied the spark.”
Game day was cold and windy so no golf was possible.
On Saturday, Hall, Pieper and Minneapolis resident Dick Riley (IABE '64) attended the game, while the rest of the group watched the contest and had lunch at the lounge of the Brown Deer Golf Club. The Hawks won an overtime thriller against Northwestern, 17 -10. That evening smaller groups hit various establishments in Iowa City.
“A particular surprise occurred when Jon Kinnamon (IABE ’63) strolled in the door at Brown Deer," said Fanter. "He stayed for a couple of hours and who could forget that great voice at many late night lineups.”
By any measure, the event was a great success. It reunited brothers in person who had not seen each other in years and rekindled long-time friendships.
Pieper and Whitehill came into Iowa City Thursday evening and met with Iowa City resident Bob Hall (IABE '66) and the two commiserated and made sure all was in order for the following evening.
Also attending the festivities were Molly McGuire from northern California, Steve Shipka(IABE '66) from Hilton Head, S.C., Ducky (Walnut Creek, Cal.), Jane Schott from Seattle, Sid Moore (IABE '63) from Park Ridge, Ill., Dr. Bill Jensen (IABE '64) from Waco Tx., Dave Hunt (IABE '66) from New Canaan, Conn., Jim "Cowboy" Grove (IABE '62) and wife, Annie from Crossville, Tenn. Anne Whitehill travelled from Tucson with her husband, Mike.
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Other Iowans on hand were Waterloo residents John Rooff (IABE '67) and his wife, Tricia; Des Moines residents Gary Fletcher (IABE '64) and his girlfriend, Kathy Riley.
"I believe all email addresses have been exchanged and many of our Christmas card lists are undergoing amendment," Fanter said. "This was a job well done and I know I speak for everyone in saying thanks for the memories."
Mike Whitehill, right, enjoys the company of Anne & Bill Lannon.
